Introducing district strategies

District strategies are a new level of strategic planning that we are introducing to the planning system. District strategies capture and protect the valued character and attributes of each of Canberra's nine districts.

The district strategies deliver the ACT Planning Strategy by providing more specific and targeted directions for each district. In short, they will guide the strategic management of growth and change on a district scale in the context of green and blue spaces, good travel connections, housing, employment growth and support our shopping centres.

During the consultation on the draft district strategies and draft Territory Plan, the community had the opportunity to ask questions to our planners. You can find these on the Ask a Question page.

You can also view the range of consultation activities we undertook with the community during February on the Engagement schedule page.

You can now take a high-level look at what we heard during consultation in the Listening Report. A more detailed look and the government's response is found in the consultation report.

What we looked at

The draft Inner North and City District Strategy captures the special character of the Inner North and reflects the community's views on future planning priorities. It will help us manage growth and change in the district while protecting the things the community values most.

Directions for Inner North and City

Blue-green network

• Protect, enhance, and restore habitat values in key blue-green corridors including re-naturalisation of Sullivans Creek and its tributary waterways, connections to Banksia Street and Dickson Wetlands and linkages between reserves, urban open space, and Garden City precincts.
• Make sure future redevelopment contributes towards living infrastructure aims in built up areas including the City Centre.

Economic access and opportunity across the city

• Protect floorspace and development opportunities for future economic activities and employment to make sure the City Centre maintains its preeminent economic role.
• Develop innovation precincts around economic assets in the City Centre (ANU/CSIRO and UNSW), Watson (ACU and AIE) and Campbell (ADFA).

Strategic movement to support city growth

• Develop the City Centre as a multimodal transport hub including accommodating future light rail corridors, bus interchange functions and improved active travel infrastructure.
• Plan in long term for future faster or high-speed rail connection to the City Centre and reflect the future entertainment plan as relevant to the City Centre.

Sustainable neighbourhoods

• Revise City Plan to guide high quality future development of the City Centre and reflect the future entertainment plan as relevant to the City Centre.
• Develop economic and mixed-use hubs at and nearby light rail stops along the Northbourne Avenue corridor based on sustainable urban development principles.

Inclusive centres and communities

• Pursue innovative models for future community and recreational facilities.